SR0599 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0599 LRB104 18098 LAW 31537 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Christian Jon "CJ" Law, who passed away on December 14, 2025; and

WHEREAS, CJ Law, the son of Demetrius and LaTanya Law, was born on January 8, 2002; from a young age, his love for animals was evident as he lovingly cared for a bearded dragon, a cat, and his dog, Wheatie; he also possessed a passion for athletics, earning USATF National Junior Olympics Indoor All-American honors in the 400-meter race in 2016 and competing with distinction for the Zephyrs Track Club, the St. Rita High School football team, and the Tinley Park High School track and field team, where he was part of the school's first-ever qualifying 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams; and

WHEREAS, CJ Law earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal and Veterinary Sciences from Tuskegee University, where he was a member of the football team, earned SIAC All-Academic Honors, and became a legacy member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Epsilon Chapter, in 2022; during his college career, he was recognized as a Pre-Vet Med Scholar and an honors student, and he worked at VCA Animal Hospital, the Tuskegee Biology Laboratory, and the Tuskegee University Farm; and

WHEREAS, CJ Law participated in the Vet Up! program at Purdue University, where his groundbreaking research on Alzheimer's disease in chimpanzees earned him the award for Best Capstone Project, and he completed the qualifications to receive his certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine; he conducted significant research and earned clinical experiences at the University of Florida, Purdue University, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); he contributed to important studies on dairy cow nutrition, immune response, and heat stress tolerance, assisted in diagnostics and surgical procedures, and gained extensive experience in USDA food safety and compliance; most recently, he pursued studies at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine; and

WHEREAS, CJ Law was an adventurer at heart who embraced life with enthusiasm and curiosity while welcoming new experiences, including surfing and parasailing, with joy and fearlessness; and

WHEREAS, CJ Law was kind, disciplined, thoughtful, and deeply devoted to his family; he lived quietly but powerfully, inspiring others through his work ethic, integrity, and generous spirit, and his life will serve as a testament to faith, perseverance, and purpose; and

WHEREAS, CJ Law was preceded in death by his father, Demetrius Law; his grandmother, PeCola Law; and his grandfathers, Jon Law and De Armond Mathews; and

WHEREAS, CJ Law is survived by his mother, LaTanya Law; his brother, William Caldwell; his grandmother, Rhonda "Nana" Mathews; his uncles, De Armond (Courtney) Mathews Jr. and Ber'Tram Law Jr.; his aunts, DeMeica Mathews and Ouidie Pollard; his godmother, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford; his bonus father, Honorable Consul Michael Fountain; and a vast community of family, friends, mentors, and brothers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Christian Jon "CJ" Law and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of CJ Law as an expression of our deepest sympathy.